Soleá

Here is the final installment of our soleá. There are four rasgueado exercises that form the basic soleá rasgueados. More details about these are given in the newly updated rasgueado page.You can download the pdf here:
At the top of the page I have shown some simple chords that are most often used for this toque. After there are four very simple exercises that form a part of my daily practice. They are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. Read the rest of this entry »

 

 Rasgueado 1 [0:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Rasgueado 2 [0:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Rasgueado 3 [0:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Rasgueado 4 [0:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Soleá basic example [1:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here is our second installment of soleá. Another fundamental part of the guitarists’ repetoire. The cierre (cadence or closure) is from Manuel Granados - more about this incredible man in later posts. Read the rest of this entry »

 

 soleá 2 [0:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This lesson introduces the soleá with the most simple of melodies. This melody, played only with the thumb is a fundamental part of the guitar repertoire. Although easy to play there are some important things to consider. Read the rest of this entry »

 

 solea [0:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

How can you start learning the rhythmic forms of flamenco?

Start counting. Count the beats out loud, or in your head. Do it in any language you like, the idea is to start to develop a feel for the accents sub-consciously. Read the rest of this entry »

After a long absence, here is a post in response to two questions. Firstly, “what is soleá por bulería” and the second a request for help with compás.

This recording is an exercise for soleá por medio using rasgueados alone.

Read the rest of this entry »

 

 Guitar and percussion [4:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Palmas and cajón [4:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here it is, after far too long, is some music for you. It is, after all the purpose of the site. Continue reading, using the link below to hear the mp3. This soleá is por medio and the cejilla is on the fourth fret. It is really a technical exercise, but with some very useful vocabulary for soleá por medio. The idea of practising crotchets and triplets came from Gabriel Cabrera in Málaga.

Here is the tablature.

Read the rest of this entry »

 

 Soleá por medio - exercise [3:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here is an example of a soleá por arriba. Once again, the recording is very short, the intention is to only to show the basic arpeggios - and to get my execution of them more even and clear.
Soleá por arriba refers to a soleá played using the chords of mi and fa mayor (in addition to la, sol and do). There is a cejilla on the fourth fret.

Download the soleá tablature [pdf] to download.

 

 Basic soleá arpeggios [0:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here is a short recording of the basic compás and falsetas. I have recorded the guitar playing solo, the guitar with percussion and both together. Getting the arpeggios clean and strong requires some work, and there is still some for me to do.

Soleá is often referred to as the mother of flamenco. This is because so many flamenco rhythms are based upon this basic structure. If you can get the hang of this rhythm, you will find that the rhythms of the slower soleá and faster bulerías are more easily dominated. Use the cajón recording for practice.

The percussion instrument is called a cajón and originates in Latin America. This means box in Spanish. More than a box, a cajón has a series of strings in its interior which vibrate against the resonating tone board. It is very a popular instrument in modern flamenco and good cajón players are very much in demand.

Soleá por medio - solo guitar.

Download - Soleá por medio - guitar alone 1.5mb

Soleá por medio - with percussion.

Download - Soleá por medio - guitar with cajón 1.5mb

Soleá por medio - cajón alone.

Download - Soleá por medio - cajón alone 1mb